David Warren - Author

03/06/2026

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360987084/ridiculous-church-review-survivor-care-didnt-speak-survivors

It is shocking that a church does an investigations via their denomination and fail to even talk to the victims of serious assaults and abuse. I am sore many more stories will now emerge.

This is why we must must continue to expose and challenge these settings.

Equippers says its review identified improvements. Survivors say it missed the point – and they were not consulted.

02/06/2026

It’s a challenge when those who should know better put their little fingers into the pie in attempt to hinder!

Perhaps the book is the reason behind the challenge?!

01/06/2026

29/05/2026

* Anger says: “This mattered.”
* Grief says: “This hurt.”
* Bitterness says: “I am still emotionally stuck there.”

29/05/2026

Many church leadership structures and models are hanging onto outdated ‘big man’ theory of leadership. They lack cultural awareness and also biblical mandate.

26/05/2026

One of the most damaging things any Christian organisation can do is simply fail to respond when serious governance or conduct concerns are raised respectfully and privately.

People are often told to “follow the proper process”, yet when they do, silence can become the process.

Good governance is not measured by mission statements or conference platforms, but by whether organisations are willing to engage transparently, fairly, and accountably when uncomfortable issues are raised.

A lack of response does not build trust. It erodes it.

Healthy leadership requires humility, accountability, and the courage to address concerns rather than ignore them.

24/05/2026

THE GOSPEL MINDSET

The trouble with much evangelical ministry is that the success of the gospel has become the primary and sometimes only parameter or worldview. It means that numbers become the priority and the measurement. Big churches must be led by great leaders, numbers at a meeting or conference are all important. This, of course can be important but it can cover up a myriad of problems. It fails to recognise the pain caused on the journey, the loss of leaders and followers and the abusive practices often underpinning the success narrative.

The gospel must be good news to the abused, rejected and those who have suffered from good news leaders.

The evangelical world needs to look the pain in the face and be honest alongside the desire to spread the good news to those who have yet to hear.

Recently I’ve experienced yet again an evangelical world unable to face up to real and important issues. The church built is the sole evidence of success and that of a healthy leader. What a huge mistake that is.

The evidence suggests that one day the walls will come tumbling down when the storm hits.

13/05/2026

If healthy boundaries are going to become part of church culture, leaders must be intentionally taught things that many ministry environments simply assume people already know. Boundary health rarely happens accidentally. It has to be discipled.

12/05/2026

A LITTLE UPDATE

I haven’t posted for a while!

This page was launched to promote my book, ‘Better Than This’.

My aim was to share thinking and spark ideas around the theme of coercive and controlling leadership. I have never tried to set myself up as some kind of safeguarding expert. That is for others to do.

And then a second book idea began to emerge.

This time a collaborative work with a safeguarding specialist and a trauma specialist (both with much broader experience and knowledge than those topics suggest). The book is all about dynamics surrounding coercive and controlling leadership in Christian settings and will be designed for everyone who wants to delve more and who wishes to be part of the answer as well as being able to recognise the problems.

Sadly someone put a little spanner in the works and decided to interfere. This meant a delay in pressing ahead, various concerns shared and a chat with a solicitor.

I want to stress that this new book will not include stories about specific places, people and church settings. There is no threat to anyone.

I also want to stress that I have never and will never set myself up as some kind of safeguarding expert. I’m delighted that there are experts out there who I can point people to and work alongside with where helpful.

And so back to this page. I will be posting some thoughts linked to the new book that, all being well will be published via PublishU on November 5th.